The late John Culshaw of Decca had a nice phrase which sums it up quite well --- achieving a "theatre of the mind".
Currently Listening On:
Turntable: Garrard 301 (solid chassis rebuild), SMD reference plinth
Arm: Audio Origami PU7 (12")
Cartridge: Van den Hul Black Beauty
Phono: Whest PS30RDT
Preamp: Scratch built AMB a24/LCDuino/d1/d2, fully balanced
Power amp: Transcendent 15W "Son Of Beast" OTL with upgraded Takman/Mills/ClarityCap MR/Jensen components in signal path
Loudspeakers: Steve Cresswell's old Metronomes